Kendall-Jackson Hosts Five-Month, Online Charity Auction Featuring Collectibles From Champion Thoroughbred
Kendall-Jackson Winery's five-month-long sports memorabilia charity auction is building up steam. The auction features a wide selection of feature items, donated by winery owner and co-founder Jess Jackson, that are related to Rachel Alexandra's already-historic thoroughbred racing season. A new item and new auction will be introduced every month from now until November.
Each successive week's item will be more valuable -- culminating in a Super Lot in November. All of the proceeds from the auction will benefit the V Foundation for Cancer Research. Currently up for auction is a halter that was worn by Rachel Alexandra prior to her Preakness Stakes victory workouts. Bidding has already reached $2,600 with more then 15 days left to go in the auction.
Each month a new item of sports collectible memorabilia from Rachel Alexandra's historic campaign-in-progress will be introduced on this auction page. Each item, of progressively escalating value, will have a "blind reserve" bid amount -- that amount is guaranteed by Jess Jackson and Barbara Banke to be the least amount donated to the charity -- even if bidding is below that amount and the item is not sold. All funds raised will go to the V Foundation.
The final, Grand Item will be auctioned in November. The cumulative total of all auction proceeds will be presented to the V Foundation after Rachel Alexandra's last race of the season, or no later than November 30, 2009.
"This is a rare opportunity for us to use the notoriety of this amazing athlete, her appeal to both men and women, to raise money to fight a disease that steals from us all," said Jackson.
Rachel Alexandra, purchased by Jackson ten days before the Preakness Stakes, became the first filly to win the Preakness since 1924. She pulled off the win by beating a field of world-class colts, including Kentucky Derby winner Mine That Bird.
The V Foundation for Cancer Research was founded by ESPN and Jim Valvano in 1993. Since that time V Foundation has raised more than $80 million and has awarded cancer research grants in 38 states and the District of Columbia. Researchers have developed their laboratories and taken their science from the labs to the clinics with the help of funds raised by The V Foundation.
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